Comparison of Digestion in Horses, Ponies,Rabbits and Guinea Pigs

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Abstract
A comparative digestion trial was conducted between horses, ponies, rabbits and guinea pigs. Alfalfa and alfalfa-grain diets were compared. Although there was a trend for ponies to be more efficient than horses in digesting proximate principles of both diets, differences were not significant. Digestibility coefficients for crude fiber and energy were lowest in rabbits. The digestion of nitrogen-free extract (NFE) was greatest in guinea pigs, whereas digestion of crude protein was lowest. Horses, ponies and rabbits digested organic matter, NFE and energy in the mixed ration more efficiently than alfalfa. However, there were no differences between diets in digestibility of crude protein and crude fiber. Copyright © 1969. American Society of Animal Science. Copyright 1969 by American Society of Animal Science

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